Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Sanchit Gupta, Dheerendra Singh, Trilok Gupta, Sandeep Chaudhary
Summary: Limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) is a low carbon alternative to conventional cement, but it has weaker fire performance compared to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and pozzolanic Portland cement (PPC). Higher thermal degradation in LC3 may increase the fire risk in LC3 concrete structures. It is recommended to restrict the use of LC3 in residential and educational structures or to ensure a reserve strength to mitigate the fire risk.
COMPUTERS AND CONCRETE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Mohsen Rashki
Summary: This study highlights the importance of accuracy in reliability methods and presents a new reality-oriented concept for improved structural reliability analysis. Two general approaches for probability estimation are introduced, along with a suggested CV method and subset simulation for a robust reliability evaluation framework. The study also shows how popular simulation methods can be re-derived using the proposed concept to develop novel robust reliability methods.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Donatella de Silva, M. Andreini, A. Bilotta, G. De Rosa, S. La Mendola, E. Nigro, O. Rios
Summary: This paper presents a performance-based approach for the design and verification of fire damage levels in RC tunnel linings. The main parameters controlling each damage state are determined through back analyses of real fires. The proposed approach is applied to a real concrete tunnel, and the potential fire damage level is evaluated by analyzing the temperatures and stresses of the structural lining.
FIRE SAFETY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Nathan S. Nichols, Paul Sokol, Adrian Del Maestro
Summary: This paper presents a parameter-free evolutionary algorithm for analytic continuation to generate the dynamic structure factor from imaginary time correlation functions, achieving enhanced spectral fidelity and reduced CPU hours without the need for fine-tuning of algorithmic control parameters.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jiani Fei, Chia-Nan Yeh, Dominika Zgid, Emanuel Gull
Summary: Finite-temperature quantum field theories are formulated using Green's functions and self-energies on the Matsubara axis. In multiorbital systems, these quantities are related to positive semidefinite matrix-valued functions of the Caratheodory and Schur class, and analytic continuation is required to move off-diagonal elements to the real axis. Results show that for small systems with precise Matsubara data, the continuation can accurately recover all elements; while in real-materials systems, the precision of the continuation is sufficient for compatibility with the Dyson equation.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Lenganji Simwanda, Adewumi John Babafemi, Nico De Koker, Celeste Viljoen
Summary: This study investigates the uncertainty quantification and reliability analysis of ultra-high-performance fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) beams exposed to fire. Two methodologies are proposed: the stochastic calibration of temperature-dependent thermal properties of UHPFRC using Bayesian inversion, and the computation of UHPFRC beam reliability in fire using Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS). The calibrated posterior probability distributions of temperature-dependent thermal properties of UHPFRC are used to predict temperature distributions that closely match the experimental results. The reliability analysis based on the calibrated thermal properties shows a decrease in reliability index with increasing fire exposure, and the fire resistance is estimated based on a reliability target of 0.7.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Dongdong Yang, Faqi Liu, Shan-Shan Huang, Hua Yang
Summary: The study conducted finite element analysis and fire tests on square and rectangular TRC columns to investigate their fire performance, discussed the effects of different parameters on fire resistance, and proposed a design method for determining the fire resistance of TRC columns.
Article
Nuclear Science & Technology
Sunghyun Kim, Sungsu Lee
Summary: This study developed an optimal integrated probabilistic fire brigade non-suppression model considering uncertainty of parameters based on the Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo approach. The model showed better accuracy and good model fit in fire probabilistic risk assessment.
NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Mohsen Sadr, Nicolas G. Hadjiconstantinou
Summary: We propose an importance-weight-based variance reduction method for Monte Carlo simulations of the Fokker-Planck equation, applied to rarefied gas and plasma dynamics. We demonstrate the stability and accuracy of weight evolution for a class of Fokker-Planck equations, including the linearized Landau equation. However, maintaining stability and accuracy becomes challenging when drift or diffusion coefficients depend on higher-order moments, such as in the cubic Fokker-Planck equation. The proposed variance reduced method shows significant speed-up compared to the standard Monte Carlo solution in the low-signal limit.
JOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Namita Nayak, Lakshmi Priya Subramanian, Brijesh Balachandran Nair
Summary: This paper presents two aspects of rationalizing natural fires in concrete compartments for structural fire safety: estimating the rate of fire growth and determining the equivalent severity between natural and standard fires. The proposed methods provide practical and accurate means for predicting compartment fire characteristics, overcoming the limitations of standard fire curves and performance-based design approaches.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Dingli Liu, Zhisheng Xu, Yuting Wang, Yangyang Li, Long Yan
Summary: Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, fires have been occurring frequently in hospitals managing COVID-19, resulting in over 279 deaths. This study analyzed the fire probability and fire service coverage for hospitals in China from a national perspective. The annual fire frequency of a hospital building exceeds 0.5 when its floor area reaches approximately 180,000 m2, as calculated using the generalized Barrois model. The average annual fire probability of a hospital in China was found to be 0.017 based on the number of hospital fires in Changsha and the number of hospitals in China from 2014 to 2017. The total effective coverage rate (TECR) of fire service for hospitals in China was estimated to be between 14.18% and 30.89%.
ALEXANDRIA ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhian Li, Xiao Li, Chen Li, Jiangqin Ge, Yi Qiu
Summary: The reliability analysis system is currently evolving, with a focus on correctness and efficiency. The active learning Kriging metamodel has been shown to be effective for investigating structural system reliability. In this study, a semi-parallel active learning method based on Kriging (SPAK) is developed to predict failure probability. It introduces a novel learning function, U-A, which considers the correlation between training points and samples. The suggested method is demonstrated to be valuable for engineering applications, improving evaluation efficiency and iteration efficiency.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Mechanics
Gregorio Mariggio, Giulio Ventura, Mauro Corrado
Summary: This study proposes a new probabilistic computational methodology for the safer and optimized design of glass components, which overcomes the limitations of current design approaches. The methodology uses a stress intensity factor-based fracture criterion to predict the load bearing capacity of elements with arbitrary geometry, support conditions, and edge flaws. By utilizing the extended finite element method, the method can handle multiple cracks without changing the mesh topology and directly evaluate the stress intensity factor. The Monte Carlo method is employed to obtain the cumulative distribution function of the failure load due to the stochastic nature of the problem. The method is demonstrated to be accurate and reliable through several case studies and provides larger load carrying capacities than stress-based approaches, ranging from 21% to 83%, depending on the stress gradient along the glass component.
ENGINEERING FRACTURE MECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Palak Patel, Mohit Sharma, Sarika Maitra Bhattacharyya
Summary: In polydisperse systems, the correlation between the structural order parameter (SOP) and dynamics depends on the number of species used to describe the system. The SOP at M = 1 shows the highest correlation with dynamics in highly polydisperse systems. The study also suggests that the Vibrality, an order parameter independent of structural information, can be a slightly better predictor of dynamics at high polydispersity due to its strong coupling with particle size.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Xiukai Yuan, Shanglong Wang, Marcos A. Valdebenito, Matthias G. R. Faes, Michael Beer
Summary: This paper proposes an efficient strategy to approximate the failure probability function in structural reliability problems. By introducing a new sample regeneration algorithm, efficiency is improved while ensuring high accuracy, and the effectiveness of the method is verified through case studies.
PROBABILISTIC ENGINEERING MECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Xufang Zhang, Mahesh D. Pandey, Ruyu Yu, Zhenguang Wu
Summary: The paper introduces a hybrid active-learning approach using adaptive Kriging surrogate models for structural reliability analysis. It combines the quasi first-order reliability method and a U-function based criterion to optimize training sample efficiency, resulting in the HALK algorithm for developing adaptive surrogate models. Numerical examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the HALK algorithm in handling structural reliability problems.
ENGINEERING WITH COMPUTERS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Wei Jiang, Yang Zhou, Wei-Chau Xie, Mahesh D. Pandey
Summary: A methodology is developed for generating floor response spectra (FRS) considering the effect of dynamic soil-structure interaction (SSI) using the substructure technique and a direct spectra-to-spectra method. The method is accurate and efficient in modeling FRS with different Non-Exceedance Probability (NEP) levels and highlights the advantages of considering SSI in the analysis.
JOURNAL OF EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Saleh Ahmadi Soleimani, Dimitrios Konstantinidis, Georgios P. Balomenos
Summary: This paper presents an alternative vision-based assessment methodology for nondestructive identification of the internal structure of elastomeric bridge bearings. The methodology utilizes the unique deformation pattern on the vertical surfaces of a bearing to deduce the thicknesses of rubber layers and covers, providing a rapid and cost-effective qualification of manufacturing defects.
JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Behfar Godazgar, Georgios Balomenos, Susan Tighe
Summary: As critical infrastructures, bridges play a crucial role in the resilience and functionality of the transportation system. This paper presents a study on the Chemin des Dalles Bridge (CDB) in Quebec, Canada, providing a probabilistic resilience curve to assess its functionality. The results show that the bridge has a resilient performance in code-level earthquakes, but improvements should be made to enhance its resiliency in stronger events.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS-BRIDGE ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Saleh Ahmadi Soleimani, Dimitrios Konstantinidis, Georgios P. Balomenos
Summary: During the vulcanization process of steel-laminated elastomeric bridge bearings, the flow of elastomer and manufacturing imperfections such as misaligned or distorted steel laminates can affect the quality and performance of the bearings. This paper presents a finite element investigation on the effects of manufacturing imperfections on the performance of elastomeric bridge bearings and observes that such imperfections have a negligible effect on the maximum shear strain induced in the elastomer and the vertical deflection of the bearings. However, they can increase the tensile stresses in the steel laminates causing plastic damage, which may affect the long-term performance of the bearings.
JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Construction & Building Technology
Tulio Coelho, Sofia Diniz, Francisco Rodrigues, Ruben Van Coile
Summary: This paper investigates the reliability evaluation of reinforced concrete beams in a fire situation. The review of the state of the art reveals gaps in the literature and suggests future research direction.
JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL FIRE ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Evelien Symoens, Ruben Van Coile, Jan Belis
Summary: This study investigates the fracture behavior and strength of soda-lime-silica glass at elevated temperatures, and finds that a slight increase in fracture strength is observed as the temperature increases.
GLASS STRUCTURES & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Ticho Ooms, Gieljan Vantyghem, Thomas Thienpont, Ruben Van Coile, Wouter De Corte
Summary: In the construction industry, thermal gradient can subject structural components to internally restrained thermal expansion, which can alter the mechanical response in structural topology optimization. In this paper, a density-based topology optimization procedure is developed for compliance minimization of structural components under thermo-mechanical loads. The proposed procedure takes into account the influence of design-dependent temperature field and thermal properties, and its effectiveness is demonstrated on the MBB problem with thermal loading.
STRUCTURAL AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY OPTIMIZATION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Evelien Symoens, Ruben Van Coile, Balsa Jovanovic, Jan Belis
Summary: Glass as a construction material is crucial in the building industry, but predicting the strength of structural glass in different configurations remains a challenge. The failure of glass elements is mainly caused by pre-existing microscopic surface flaws, which vary in properties. The strength of glass is described by a probability function, depending on panel size, loading conditions, and flaw size distribution. This study extends an existing strength prediction model and identifies the most appropriate probability density function using the Akaike information criterion. The results show that the appropriate model depends on the number of flaws subjected to maximum tensile stresses.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Thomas Thienpont, Ruben Van Coile, Wouter De Corte, Robby Caspeele
Summary: The study investigates the compressive membrane action in restrained precast concrete hollow core slabs and its impact on load bearing capacity and failure mode during excessive loading. An experimental campaign is conducted to quantify this phenomenon, and the outcomes are analyzed using a finite element model. The results indicate that the ultimate capacity and failure mode of restrained hollow core slabs are influenced by restraint conditions and span-to-depth ratio. Additionally, inherent uncertainties in material properties and geometry significantly affect the membrane action in precast hollow core slabs.
STRUCTURAL CONCRETE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Saleh Ahmadi Soleimani, Dimitrios Konstantinidis, Georgios P. Balomenos
Summary: Unbonded laminated elastomeric bridge bearings are designed for service-level deformations but can experience significantly larger deformations during earthquakes. The effects of steel shim characteristics and imperfections on the seismic behavior of these bearings have been understudied. This study investigates how manufacturing imperfections and shim thickness affect the behavior of these bearings under large lateral displacement.
ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Ticho Ooms, Gieljan Vantyghem, Thomas Thienpont, Ruben Van Coile, Wouter De Corte
Summary: This paper presents a compact and efficient MATLAB code for thermoelastic topology optimization considering transient heat conduction. The code utilizes finite-element modeling and an implicit finite difference scheme for time discretization. A density-based topology optimization procedure is developed and applied, and sensitivity analysis is performed using the adjoint variable method. Detailed explanation of the methodology and implementation in MATLAB is provided, along with numerical examples to demonstrate the influence of various parameters on thermo-mechanical loading and transient heat conduction analysis.
ENGINEERING WITH COMPUTERS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Ghazal Saed, Georgios P. Balomenos
Summary: This study proposes a framework for assessing the seismic fragility of steel moment-resisting frames under different corrosion rates and subjected to real mainshock-aftershock sequences. Uncertainties in structural characteristics can significantly impact structural performance. By considering both demand and capacity parameters, the framework incorporates randomness using Latin hypercube sampling. Application of the framework on three modeled frames exposed to nine recorded mainshock-aftershock sequences illustrates its usefulness. The results highlight the significant impact of corrosion and aftershocks on seismic fragility, particularly for extreme limit states.
SOIL DYNAMICS AND EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING
(2023)
Proceedings Paper
Construction & Building Technology
Tim Van Mullem, Arne Sintobin, Philip Van den Heede, Laurence De Meyst, Robby Caspeele, Nele De Belie
Summary: During carbonation, concrete consumes calcium hydroxide, leading to a pH drop and potential steel corrosion. Cracks in cementitious materials allow for faster carbon dioxide ingress. Self-healing cementitious materials can close cracks without manual repair but the influence of carbonation is seldom studied. In this study, High-Volume Fly Ash mortar samples with glass macrocapsules filled with polyurethane were tested. Non-pressurized capsules showed sealing efficiency of over 80%, while pressurized capsules only had a 25% efficiency. Carbonation depth was shallower at cracked locations compared to reference samples. Non-pressurized capsules performed well with carbonation depth half that of reference samples.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 75TH RILEM ANNUAL WEEK 2021
(2023)